11 Questions with U-20 WNT Midfielder Jordan Angeli

NewsAug 16, 2006

Jordan Angeli is the “Jane of all Trades” for the U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Team, having played on all three lines for the USA this year. She could play in several positions during the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Championship, which starts for the USA on Aug. 18 as the young Americans take on the Democratic Republic of Congo. Fans can follow all the action on ussoccer.com’s MatchTracker at 8 a.m. ET. Angeli took some time out from her busy pre-tournament schedule of training, sleeping and snacking to answer some questions for Center Circle, ranging from her leaving her home state to go to college, why she loves her team and if she was a computer generated cartoon character, who she would be.

Center Circle: You’ve been in Russia for a few days now. What are your impressions of Moscow? Jordan Angeli: “I like it. It’s different than I thought. All the buildings seem to be more classic looking with statues everywhere. Of course, there are a lot of western looking features to the city, but driving around you do feel as if you are going back 20 years. Red Square was absolutely stunning. With the architecture and all the colors, I felt like it was glowing.”

CC: You have played numerous positions in college and for the U-20 WNT. You can basically play five positions with equal aptitude, which is very rare. How did you develop this versatility? JA: “I have no idea. I think on every team I’ve played on I had to play a different position, so I was always learning. When my coaches were talking to the midfielders, even if I wasn’t playing midfield, I was always listening in case I had to play that position. It definitely wasn’t an overnight thing. It has been developing over the years and as long as I’m on the field, I’m a pretty happy camper. So it doesn’t matter where I play, but it’s nice to have the ability to play different spots because it gives me a better chance of being on the field.”

CC: Of all the positions, what is your favorite? JA: “I feel like it depends on the games. Sometimes in the games playing outside back is so fun because you just get the whole flank to attack. I really love outside midfield, and I guess that’s pretty much where my heart is because that’s where I’ve played since I was little. But then, who doesn’t like playing forward? Being in front of the goal is pretty amazing.”

CC: You have really, really curly hair. Any tips for other curly-haired female soccer players out there on how to maintain the locks while playing soccer every day? JA: “I myself have no idea. I have a little frizz problem that I can’t control so if anyone has any tips or products that work well, please email them to Center Circle. But I have to admit that having a crazy, curly head of hair is fun, and it can be pretty cute.”

CC: You are from Denver, Colo., but decided to go to go to Northern California for college at Santa Clara. What were the factors in that decision? JA: “I love Colorado, but I always wanted to go to California to play and go to school. My friend Rachel and I always had the dream to go to California. She is at Long Beach State now. I went to Santa Clara Soccer Camp when I was 15 and kind of fell of love with the campus. They kind of recruited me at the last minute and once I had the opportunity, I felt I couldn’t let it pass.”

CC: We hear you are a great car singer and mirror dancer. Are you better singing alone in your car or dancing alone in front of your mirror? JA: “That’s a tough call. I love to sing and dance, and I think I am great at singing in the shower and dancing alone, but my teammate at SCU and with the national team, Amanda Poach, really compliments me well when we sing in my car. So I’ll have to go with that when we are singing Mariah Carey’s ‘We Belong Together Remix.’ It’s a classic performance.”

CC: You have known U.S. U-20 WNT head coach Tim Schulz for a while as you played for his club in Colorado. Describe Tim as a coach. JA: “Tim is passionate. He was never my coach for the Colorado Rush, but he was the director of coaching for the club, so he would train us once a week and my team would always look forward to it. He believes in learning the game by playing, and he would always bring up the level of intensity at training. I think he’s a great coach, because he is dedicated to the soccer aspect of your life, but he knows that there are more important things like family and school. He cares for you as a person, not just a player.”

CC: If you weren’t a soccer player, you have said that you would want to be a model/actress. How are you going to get that career started? JA: “I am planning on wininng America’s Next Top Model. My sister Ashley and I watch it all the time and think we could win. Of course, I am kidding, but I’ve always wanted to be an actress. As a kid, I would impersonate Jim Carrey and do skits for my family. That’s where the dream started. Maybe Jim will give me my first big shot?”

CC: Tell us what you love about the U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Team? JA: “I love that there are twenty-one of us that all get along. It’s not often that you get in a situation where that happens. It seems like we all care for one another. It’s a pretty special group.”

CC: When you were growing up, did you ever think that one day you would be representing the USA in a world championship? JA: “Yeah, I always dreamed of it, but I can’t say I was ever sure things would ever fall into place. As a little girl, you dream of things and you hope they come true, but you never really realize how amazing they are until they do come true. This journey has been incredible.”

CC: One of your favorite movies is Finding Nemo. What character from the movie to you most identify with and why? JA: “That’s really hard to choose. I have to admit I cried at the end, but I think I’m Dori because she’s always singing and I can be a little bit of a ditz sometimes. Also, I have colorful hair, although it’s red, not blue. She’s just a happy girl and loving life, like me.”